Ed Sheeran tour's loses another support act as Finneas quits after Macklemore dropped from lineup

US singer Finneas has become the latest musician to drop out of Ed Sheeran’s tour after Macklemore announced he had been ditched from the lineup over his pro-Palestine comments.

Macklemore revealed he’d been dropped from the remaining US dates of Sheeran’s Loop Tour on Monday (14 September) following his on-stage comments about Palestine.

During an appearance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on 4 September the US rapper, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, gave a speech calling to 'free Palestine'.

His comments were met with a backlash and yesterday, the rapper confirmed he’d been dropped from the remainder of the tour.

In a lengthy post on social media, Macklemore claimed that he was let go from the tour after New England Patriots’ boss Robert Kraft, who owns the Gillette Stadium, gave Sheeran an ‘ultimatum’.

In a statement Kraft said he wouldn’t provide a platform for ‘hate speech’.

Sheeran has also broken his silence on the matter, sharing his own statement about the incident, saying: "Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision, it was not mine. Macklemore's contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me.

"I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living."

However, in response to Macklemore being removed from the tour several support acts have now quit.

Irish singer Aaron Rowe, who was featuring on the North American leg of performances, announced that he had dropped out.

“As Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation,” he said.

"I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up against Israeli genocide and who highlight the savage murder of children.

"I would lose all respect for myself to carry on as normal. I need to be true to myself and my ancestors who resisted colonisation, and fought for a freedom that I enjoy today in Ireland. FREE PALESTINE."

Shortly after Finneas, who is the brother of Billie Eilish, also confirmed he would be dropping out of the Loop Tour.

Finneas had been slated to open for Sheeran on six South American dates in late November and early December.

In a statement shared on social media, he wrote: “Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.

“I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people.”

Rowe and Finneas aren’t the only stars to count themselves out of the tour.

Irish band Beoga have also shared a statement saying they will not be taking part.

In a statement on social media, Beoga said: “We are Irish people who understand colonialism. As founding members of the Irish Artists for Palestine movement, we are committed activists for justice and will continue to be.”

Danish pop band Lukas Graham also confirmed it would be exiting the tour just moments after Finneas made his announcement.

“We should be able to speak about war, about civilians being killed, about children who deserve to grow up. Wherever they live. Whatever flag flies over them,” they wrote on Instagram.

“I can’t put these words out into the world and carry on with this tour as things stand. We’re withdrawing from the remaining dates.”